29th Nov 2004, 12:32

I have a 1997 Chrysler Sebring convertible. I have 142,000 miles on it. I have tried to keep it indoors during the last two winters. It still runs well. I did have water leakage problems. We found out that the one right rear drain plug had never been installed. This was not discovered until the 2nd drain finally plugged up and the right side of the interior filled with water. The car is hard on brakes. Other than that, the car looks and rides like a beauty. That's hard to say after 7 tough Northern Ohio winters.

1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible LX 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

A nice car at a good price that needs better breaks

Faults:

Brakes, brakes, brakes. The brakes are supposed to be improved on the new models. I now own a 2001, which seems fine so far. Have the brakes checked EVERY time you have a oil change. I was very careful about my breaks and replaced the rotors at least twice and had them resurface once or twice more - in 50000 MILES ONLY!!! It is normal for these breaks to squeek. They always did, even w/in a month of them being done. The engine always ran great and reliably, by the way. The most expensive fix was belts.

General Comments:

Get those breaks checked again!

The car really did run very well while I had it. The engine never changed all the way up to 95,000 miles.

1997 Chrysler Sebring Convertible JXI 2.5 from North America

Summary:

If it wasn't a gift out of love, I would have traded it in during the first year of ownership!

Faults:

Serviced the car for the passenger door lock. It had quit operating.

Had three recalls done at first time of service.

One of the recalls affected the operation of the convertible.

After the service recall done on convertible, it started leaking water excessively into the car. Brought the car back and repairs were only made to the driver's side. Parts were factory ordered. Brought the car back for the passenger side to be repaired for same problem. Again parts were factory ordered.

Brought the car back two months later for the power antenna to be replaced. It quit working. Factory ordered and after the car was there for a third day full day, I was told to bring the car back in when the part came in. Upon doing so, the car remained in the shop for a full week.

Brought the car back in two months for electrical problems with the headlights and interior dashboard lights going out. Another full day in the shop with no repairs. Could not find the problem.

The car was towed in two months later due to it not starting. The shop replaced the fuse and sent us on our way.

Car was hit on its side a couple of weeks later. The body shop did a shabby job of repairs. Door didn't line up and the passenger window and rear passenger window were not making contact.

The car was brought back for window repairs, leaking water again, and lining the door up again with the body lines.

Brought the car back for the transmission going out.

Brought the car back for more water leaks.

The car was towed back in for not starting again. They replaced the fuse again.

Brought the car back for more electrical problems with the headlights and dash board lights going out again.

Brought the car back for another transmission problem. Seal went out.

Car stereo has now totally quit and needs a new power amp at $250.00.

The convertible top is coming apart at the seams at all different points. The top is curling up. Needs to be replaced.

A year and a half after I bought the car, the driver's side leather seat ripped in the middle of it. I am not a real heavy person and maintained minks oil and leather cleaning. The passenger seat is now starting to wear badly. It is barely used.

General Comments:

I fell in love with this car when I first saw it. My husband bought it for me out of a loving gesture and as a surprise. We have both been surprised with the poor quality put into this new car, and the rude and prejudiced way I have been treated each and every time I have had to bring this car in for a repair.

Also the amount of time it took to repair it and the poor workmanship of body work that was done. The car still has a one inch gap between the passenger door window and the rear window.

It has just recently gone out of its extended warranty which is why we now have to replace the power amp out of our own pocket.

1st Jul 2002, 18:36

I own a 1996 Chrysler Sebring JXI. I bought it completely totaled and I have had it rebuilt to dealership specs. The only reason that my Sebring is at dealership specs is because I had a dealership advise the body shop that I had repairs done at. In the future, it seems that you should take enough pride in your Sebring to not disrespect it, but to find out how legitimate the work at an automotive body shop is BEFORE you let them do repairs on your vehicle.